I`ve recently been bitten by the 300zx bug after simply seeing the huge wedge of a beast roll past me in all it`s steroid and adrenalin induced malevolence.I`m self employed so a bit restricted in which financer i use.So i`m seeking out dealers who use the financer i`m already with to save me account headaches.Anyway today i stumbled across a local Jap import specialist with a number of interesting motors.Including YES you`ve guessed it,a red 1990 G reg,70,000 miles,r/hand drive,UK ready zx300,huge spoiler and lovely alloys(which will save me getting any) for£5995.

Providing my financer will finance fully a 10 year old car(they should seeing as it is a car that i`d imagine they`d see as holding it`s value quite well)then i could have a deposit down on it in days.

BUT...It`s an import-IS this dodgey?(dealer said it has service history but of course it`s in Japanese)

Will i be able to get parts in uk without too much grief?

I know they guzzle fuel but are they reliable?

Waddya think fellas? A 70k Z for £6grand is a good deal ISN`T IT???

 

dave mc

 

I would say get an independant inspection from AA/RAC etc, then if that comes out OK get someone who really knows their way around these cars to look over it for you. 6 grand is not the cheapest around, but if it's a good-un it could be sale of the century, if you're unlucky it could be dusbin of the decade !!!!

 

A couple of people on this forum have got bitten recently - I'm sure they'll tell their own story.

 

Hello Dave

You will get a load of different answers on this one some of us have had a nightmare with a dodgy Z (as you can with any car). Mine is a Jap with 54k and has given me no trouble at all in 2 years. Dont worry about parts or the import side of it, Johnny at Grasshopper or Luke from the Z centre can get probably anything you will ever need plus youve got the wealth of knowlage from us fine fellows on this forum

If its a good un get it bought...

Paul

Most of the parts are the same although headlight bulbs can be a pain in the arse as many here can tell.

Check it's speedo has been converted but other than that the Japs seem to look after their cars pretty well and are generally far lower milage than a UK Z of the same year.

Nissan dealers charge ridiculous prices for work on these cars so find a specialist locally if you can.

These cars are seriously complex so as has been said try and take an expert with you.

You might find someone from this forum who lives nearby and can go along with you.

I bought one and had a few minor probs but I was so lucky to get a good one. Now I know the car I am amazed it's all still working at 10 years of age!

 

Hi dave

You know it makes sense, you KNOW it makes sense.

LOL@your description.

OK if its a dealer called Veilside or a Dodgy fucker from Leicester then run away like your feet are caked in cocaine.

Lots of dealers say FSH in Japanese, but, well just exercise some caution buddy.

Good Zeds sell themselves, bad Zeds... well I should know...DONT bang six large on the first Z you see!!

Imports / lower mileage yes / early autos(G) watch the autobox / check insurance, its loaded, try A-Plan 0845 071 1234 / Parts-depends on what, www.courtesynissan.com or SE or Zcentre etc / Yeah fuel, hehe lots / Reliable? hmm 10 year 300BHP supercar with more sensors than a T1000, subjective / I have seen so much crap@£6000.

Shit went to see one, in a field in oxfordshire, fecked aircon, no central locking, gurgled... £6000, and damn me if I didnt do a 300 mile round trip to view, just coz it was a manual!!!

Last question you ask, 6k for a 70k Z?

Go and test it.

Get in the car and drive it. Floor it, make sure it boosts good (above 7psi on a UK car - ask about Jap gauge), push the aircon button and get lots of cool air, play with the seat and make sure it moves up and down, back and forward, check prop vibrations, check for ,hell check all you can. www.twinturbo.net has an excellent FAQ

Good luck m8

Glen

You still looking for a Z Glen. Was a very nice one near Warington. Dont know where you are but if you want I can go and try to find some info about it. Gear, year, price UK/JAP?

 

 

Stuart

Hi,

I recently bought a 300TT G reg, Jap import with 41,000 miles for 5 grand it was uk ready and in almost a1 condition, since then it had blown a radiator which was a real pain, due to all the wires up front getting wet! but apart from that she now runs sweet (so far!)

thanks chaps

Hi Stuart and thanks for the kind offer - top man!

I think I may be sorted

Xx fingers crossed xX

I hope so anyway coz Tim and I have a little wager running ;-)

 

Glen.

 

Hi Dave(if you're still watching!)

 

Be very, very careful...I ain't joking!!!! Me and Glen and me mate Matty will testify to having been duped into parting with 5K + for a pile of Jap. shite!!!

 

I still have my sick puppy! Glen and Matty managed to send their's back from whence they came. Glen even saw his back up for sale a few weeks later, even though the guy told him he was going to break it!

 

These cars do need looking after, so in the first instance make sure that it drives nice and smootly, tickover should be smooth, not erratic. If it's an auto. make sure that it changes smoothly. Not just when driving but also with gear selections, should be no clunking etc. Also if an auto. make sure that the gear changes aren't seriously late in the rev. range unless you are caining the crap out of it...or the overdrive is off! I have been told that they do this when the oil has just been changed! Not sure that I believe that though!

 

If it's got HICAS and rear steering make sure it doesn't crab over slight bumps to the point that you end up getting out of the car with brown trousers! If it does bounce around on the road try pulling the handbrake up one click so the light comes on. This only works on UK TT's, not sure about Import TT's. Anyway, this activates the actuators on the rear suspension and makes it sporty and hard.

 

What else? Check out this site for more or goto twinturbo.net!

 

Good luck and if you do find a nice one, don't take anything for granted. Try to get some nice chap/chapess to go with you from here, people are always willing to help!

http://dimensional.com/~mackys/z/

 

Cheers

 

Tim

;-)

 

Hi bud,

 

6k is on the pricey side given it's year and mileage combined. I reckon you could get him down at least another £500, as he's making a nice profit on that.

 

Personally.... I wouldn't touch anything with over 60k.

 

Good luck !

 

[This message has been edited by Jayen (edited 04-07-2001).]

Dave, like Jayen said, 6k is too pricey for the age & mileage especially if it's a little tatty. Prices on Zeds have fallen. You should be able to get one under 50K for that price and maybe newer than 1990.

 

Do not waste money on an RAC/AA check. Have a Z SPECIALIST or a VETERAN Z owner check out the car for you. I'm not invalidating these guys. It's just that they are not familiar with what they should really be looking for on these cars.

 

Beware of rediculous insurance on modified Jap imports too. Trust me on this one!